Healthy Glowing Skin Presented by Dr. Brazos Minchew

~Keeping Skin Healthy & Glowing~

"I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas?" – Jean Kerr

Beautiful outside, beautiful inside?
Who doesn't want beautiful skin – especially as we age? Our outside layer of skin often reflects the health of our internal organs, as we discussed in the Weekly Wellness Report on "Liver Spots."

For instance, skin hydration relies on glucosamine just as joint hydration relies on glucosamine. So, dry skin likely means dry joints. Skin that is easily torn and damaged indicates rapid aging, which likely indicates rapid aging of our circulatory system. Furthermore, skin that is easily burned by the sun may indicate that our essential fatty acid (EFA) and antioxidant reserves are low which means other tissues that rely on antioxidants and EFA for protection may also be at risk.

Therefore, beautiful skin is a good indicator of healthy reserves of critical nutrients.

Inside first...
As we age, we are likely to experience skin that wrinkles and becomes blotchy. It may start to get pigment spots and become easy to injure. There are many products and procedures you can use to help your skin from the outside and those are important. But more important is nourishing the skin from the inside.

Skin has a base of healthy fats. Most of the external emollients we use on our skin are some form of fat. However, humans are not designed to take in fats very efficiently through the skin. The best way to have a healthy base for your skin is to take OmegaPrime essential fatty acids. Two per day is good, but for skin health, more is better!

From the outside...
There is a huge industry that provides cleansers, peels and emollients for the outside of your skin. Use of skin treatments is important only after you have been nourished from the inside. Then your skin will have beauty long after the makeup has been removed. Dr. Libby's Vital C Powdered Crystals are perfect for your weekly beautiful skin routine. Try this natural deep moisturizer treatment and skin exfoliant:

1. Add 1/4 teaspoon of Vital C Crystals to your daily skin moisturizer and mix thoroughly.
2. Liberally apply the cream to your face and neck, massaging gently.
3. Leave on for 10 minutes.
4. Wash off completely with warm water; follow with a splash of cold water to close your pores.

Your skin should have a lovely glow!

Sunlight and Vitamin D
The skyrocketing incidence of diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers definitely say that we are not getting enough Vitamin D. The increase in insomnia and seasonal depression tells us that we are not getting enough early morning sun.

We need more sunlight. Now, how do we make it safe?

1. Recognize the need for sun and the need for caution. Plan your sun exposure so that you maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. For instance, get your sunlight early in the day. Early morning sunlight does not have the high ultra-violet intensity that midday sun does. So, take a 20-minute walk in the early part of the day with your skin exposed to sunlight. This will give you the benefits without the risks of over-exposure.
2. Alternately, take a 20-minute walk in the evening with your skin exposed to sunlight. There are fewer UV rays in the evening than at midday, though more than in the morning. This will have a less dramatic effect than morning sun but will still provide you with many of the same benefits.
3. Never expose your skin to midday sun for long periods of time. Wear clothing that covers most of your skin and wear a hat that provides shade for your face and ears.
4. Certain nutrients work well to protect against sun damage:

1. Essential fatty acids interact with Vitamin D in your skin to create a bulwark of protection against harmful radiation.
2. Vitamin C quenches smoldering fires of oxidative stress once they have begun.
3. Antioxidants, such as green tea (Energy Now!) and those found in berries (Adaptogen 10 Plus) can help protect against DNA damage from radiation.

All these are excellent strategies for dealing with the stress of too much sun.

What about sunscreen?
The discussion about sunscreen is full of heated rhetoric. The first thing I will say about using sunscreen is that it is completely up to you: it's your choice! I would also point out that people have lived outdoors for thousands of years without serious risk from sun exposure. The increase in skin cancer risk came about as a "perfect storm" of severely polluted air, a low antioxidant/nutrient diet and the 40-year tanning craze that followed World War II.

The truth is that more people die of cancer related to Vitamin D deficiency than of skin cancer caused by sunburn. Again, get some morning and evening sunshine for good health, never get a sunburn and keep your skin covered when you are exposed to midday sun. Beyond these recommendations, do what seems reasonable to you!

Total health
The health of our skin can tell us much about the health of our entire body. We naturally desire that "healthy glow" and beautiful skin. And that makes sense, doesn't it? We have a tool to assess our internal health immediately at our disposal: our skin. All we have to do is learn to listen to the message of healthy skin!

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Take Control of Your Health For healthy skin: Eat healthy fats and take OmegaPrime to help form the foundation Take Joint Complex for healthy collagen Drink plenty of water Eat an antioxidant-rich diet Take a specific antioxidant, such as Adaptogen 10 Plus or Energy Now! Use topical antioxidants frequently Get appropriate sunshine – never burn! Get your sun exposure early in the day Alternately, get your sun exposure in the evening Wear long pants and long sleeves during midday Wear a hat that provides shade for your face and ears Take EFAs, Vitamin C and antioxidants for maximum protection!

Learn more!

• Protect Your Skin
• Skin Self-Exam
• Vitamin D and Your Health

Visit trivita.com/13380527 for more info on the supplements for healthy, glowing skin!

Love Me Some EVOO!

    Hey my friends! It's been too long! I wanted to share what is on my mind this Friday which is a few recipes that Extra Virgin Olive Oil takes all the credit for making so perfecto! So, you probably here about olive oil and its benefits on the food network or other cooking shows. Truth is olive oil is so great for you! In fact, I rarely ever buy butter anymore unless I am baking. I have come to substitute olive oil for everything, and I want to share a few recipes with you on how I do that!

Cooking With EVOO

It's not very helpful to us if we are using EVOO in cooking, but not using it properly to receive all the nutrients! To make sure we are getting all those great polyphenols everyone speaks of we must heat it to only about 400 degrees that is a pretty low smoke point for sauteing... Once we go over our smoke point, we no longer have all the benefits of EVOO in our food!  So, keep the sauteing and cooking on medium.

Too Much Of Anything Isn't Good For You

Just like drinking red wine, there is a limit. Olive oil is a really healthy fat that helps with your skin, heart, and just easy on the gi tract; however, a little goes along way. If you typically have a hard time with portion control, note this: Fat should consist of 30% of your daily intake. Also, if you tend to pour oil heavy in the pan then try a aerosol can especially designed for oils to be spritzed on your food! I know Harris Teeter and most specialty grocery stores carry them for about $20. Great kitchen investment!

~Recipes Using EVOO~

Herb Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This is a great way to get creative for those especially weary of trying the greenish yellow liquid that is not butter. So, if you swear up and down you don't like EVOO, I promise you, you just haven't found how you like it! This is a great way to bring extra to flavor to traditional EVOO.

Basic Vinaigrette

This takes 10 minutes! I absolutely rather eat a bare salad then put some of the junk that people call salad dressing! There is sooo many calories and chemicals in salad dressings, even the ones that have less this and more good stuff. Nothing beats a homemade vinaigrette! So, once you get this basic vin down, you will be adding shallots and red wine vin or lemon juice and poppyseeds.... make it your own! There are so many wonderful combos for a great homemade salad dressing!

Garlic-Herb Marinated Olives

This a quick recipe that will have your party guests thinking you are so sophisticated... well, you may be but this recipe is so simple! Add some pita chips and its an appetizer! Or what I love to do is hit up the Harris Teeter Olive Bar if you have no time and add some fresh mozzarella with it and its a great snack!!

I hope you enjoyed these tip and recipes on what to do with your bottle of olive oil! If create some yum vinaigrette we can feature it on the blog!

Fats 101

     Contrary to what is out there, there are such things as good fats and bad fats! I want to share with you 4 key points to know about fats! The right fats are brain food, so it is important to make sure you are getting the proper nutrition!

Eat Half The Fat- Change The Type

Energy doesn't just disappear. Whatever you put into your body and don't burn off in your muscles makes a stopover in your fat cells. Consuming about 60 to 70 fat grams per day will keep you lean and fit, provided they don't all come from saturated animal fats. Ani

mal fat should be kept to a minimum; it is not a fat burner. You're better off consuming unsaturated fatty acids. These are substances your body can't produce on its own. Great sources are vegetables, olives, nuts, seeds, and fish. If you are not sure if you consume 60 to 70 fat grams, keep a food journal for a week and count fat grams of everything you consume that has a label. So, if you eat nuts, vegetables, and fruits... don't include those. Just count the foods with labels and see where you are at. My favorite source of fat is the amazing avocado!

Fats That Keep You Thin

Your kitchen should always be stocked with olive oil! Olive oil supplies fatty acids that ad

just the settings of your hormone balance to LEAN, FIT, and HEALTHY! The same can be said of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. They control your body's super-hormones, the eicosanoids. If you eat ocean fish (herring, salmon or mackerel) at least 2x's a week, you will stimulate a good number of these types of eicosanoids that will in turn give you better health, more vitality, a lighter mood, and protection for your heart. Who would like to have all these great self-improvements?

Fats & High Glycemic Index

If you eat your pasta with a cream sauce or your roast beef with mashed potatoes, the potatoes and pasta (both high in the glycemic index) will increase the insulin in your blood, which will then immediately transport the fat in the beef or cream to your hips, and seal away the fat molecules inside the fat cells. This won't happen, however, if you eat your meat with whole-wheat pasta (low-glycemic idex). In this case the insulin is kept a bay, and the fat from the meat can be burned off in the muscle cells. When planning meals, remember this:

• Avoid eating fatty foods with high-glycemic index foods (i.e. steak with french fries, pasta with cream sauce, buttered bread with jam, pizza, chocolate croissants, white bread with cheese that is over 40% in fat)

• Create fat burning combinations: Lamb with whole-grain rice, turkey breast with boiled potatoes, chicken with vegetables, whole-wheat pasta with shrimp, mozzerella, whole-wheat bread with tomatoes. 

Click here for a complete list of high & low glycemic index food list!

The Thin Commandments

• Olive oil instead of animal fats. Use less butter and cream. Please never use margarine.

• Practice "light" cooking : brushing oil onto non-stick pans for sauteing. Choose steaming (not steam bags in the microwave) and braising to preserve vitamins and your figure.

• Eat thing with zero fat: Legumes (beans), fruits, and whole grains (rice, pasta, bread, muesli)

• Reduce your consumption of red meats and processed meats like sausage, bacon, and deli meat. Instead choose ocean fish, game, poultry. Choose lean cuts of meat such as fillets, escalopes, loins, roasts, flank steak, etc.

• Always purchase low-fat dairy products and avoid prepared products, even if they say "light". Remember, nature always does it better!

Allergies: How To Fight Back

     Spring is my favorite season, and I want to make it more enjoyable for you by addressing allergies and remedies that do not include a doctor visit! 25% of the world suffers from allergies! 

     

     You may be tempted to take an over-the-counter antihistamine, decongestant or other drug to get rid of allergy symptoms, but there are other more healthy options that will address not only the symptoms but also the underlying cause.

Did you know?

Strengthening your immune system is the first step in fighting off allergens. So how do you build up your immune system? Reducing sugars and grains in your diet, important physical principles to strengthen your immune system. Additionally, you want to exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.

Sonoran Bloom Nopalea

First, allergies irritate the sinuses... sinus symptoms are due to inflammation... inflammation can be addressed by drinking Sonoran Bloom Nopalea. For more information check out my post on it! Addressing the inflammation is going to fight the allergies at the source!

Local Honey

Also, incorporating local honey in your meals via coffee, sweet potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, etc. will be beneficial. Local honey needs to be from your county! The local part is so important because the bees who make it are buzzing all in the very things that cause your inflammation. It works like a natural allergy shot.

Natural Anti-Histamine Foods

Anti-histamine foods are onions, garlic, and citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. Something I like to do is carry around a lemon/lime cut in wedges in a ziploc bag, and squeeze a little in every time I feel up my water bottle. You can also do this with oranges! Get crazy add cucumbers and oranges. Makes for a refreshing water!

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

The essential fatty acids found in fish oil and cod liver oil can reduce both allergic and inflammatory

response. Cod liver oil may be particularly beneficial because it also contains vitamin A, which enhances the immune system and soothes irritated mucous membranes. Take note that it is important that you do not consume too much vitamin A. Call your physician to speak with his nurse about how much vitamin A they recommend for you! Also, if you choose cod liver oil, get your vitamin D levels tested; it is possible to over-dose on vitamin D. If you so choose to try this technique, it is crucial you choose a quality fish oil. I recommend checking out Carlson's Cod Liver Oil.

Spring Cleaning

It is important to keep the pollen count in your house low. Tips in doing this is using a hepa certified vaccum cleaner; this will eliminate the pollen being blown back into the air. Shower at night to avoid transferring pollen to your pillow and sheets. Leave shoes in the garage or by the door. Wash hands regularly. Try using an air purifier for a peaceful rest. Also, keep the pets bathed regularly and don't allow up on the sitting areas!

Hot Liquids

This is going to relieve congestion. Try green tea with a tablespoon of local honey! A great way to get antioxidants as well! Any hot tea is going to be very soothing.

Light Exercise

The last thing you want to do after going through a box of tissues in a day is exercising I am sure of it. However, it is important that you know light exercising can increase your respiratory system during this time of congestion and runny nose. Your immune system is weak, so do not over-work yourself. Try brisk walking in the morning while the grass is still covered in dew.

     Here are my suggestions in aiding those suffering from the spring allergens in the air! Happy Spring and let me know if you find more remedies in relieving your allergy symptoms!

Sources: Trivita, Dr. Mercola

Fibromyalgia: Helped With A Better Diet

     So, I recently had a teeny, tiny fender bender while running an errand for my dad's company. Is was quite an hike and partially inconvenient. What could have been an exchange of phone numbers and asta la vista turned into a fiasco. At one point, she claimed she developed fibromyalgia due to the terrible, terrible accident. Considering the zero amount of damage; it was quite the fib. My lack of compassion for her grew to curiosity, what is this disease and how can you get it? Is this reversible by a change in health habits and exercise? Long story short, her claim for fibromyalgia didn't fly, and here is why.

How It Works: Fibromyalgia

     Fibromyalgia is caused by a low level of serotonin in your blood. When serotonin is low, it increases pain sensitivity. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that works to

 calm, soothe, and reduce anxiety. Now, the body has its own endorphin painkillers, but if serotonin is low then substance P amplifies pain signals.

Causes: Fibromyalgia

     This can be genetic in the sense you can be prone to it. It is common amongst those who lack physical activity and eat poorly. It also intensifies with one who is also struggling with depression. It is prevalent in women especially those who are experiencing menopause or just a loss of estrogen. Trauma to the central nervous system can also cause this disease.

What Doctor Mercola Says:

     Studies have not been proven that foods will fix chronic diseases such as Fibromyalgia. These health tips can apply to all peoples fighting obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or diabetes.

Suggestions For Those With Chronic Illness:

• Limit Sugar as Much as Possible- Insulin (sugar) increases pain levels. Grains are metabolized as sugar so limit intake of grains as well.

• Eat Fresh Foods- Foods containing additives work against you increasing

 symptoms.

• Avoid Caffeine- Fibromyalgia's symptoms include fatigue, this means caffeine will prolong this symptom and increase tiredness in the long run.

• Try Avoiding Nightshade Vegetables- Tomatoes, Potatoes, and Eggplant

• Be Careful with Fats- Animal fats that contain omega-3 fats tend to aid in inflammation and pain.

• Use Yeast Sparingly- Yeast can contribute to yeast fungus which can contribute to pain.

• Avoid Pasteurized Dairy- This is easily digested by those struggling with this chronic illness. Especially organic grass-fed cow milk.

• Cut Down on Carbs- If you deal with chronic illness you have low adrenal functioning, lowering your carb intake can help avoid hyperglycemia.

• Avoid Aspartame- This artificial sweetener is found in sugar-free products and diet soda contains a chemical called excitotoxins. This activates neurons and increase pain sensitivity. Sugar-free foods are usually high in carbs (which convert to sugar) so try to avoid all together.

• Avoid Additives- Food additives increase pain sensitivity such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).

• Limit Junk Food- Junk food tears down your immune system, disrupts your sleep, and irritates your muscles. Junk food of course contributes to weight gain which increases the amount of pain.

You may not suffer from fibromyalgia, but you have to take care of yourself so you can avoid this horrible disease. Educating yourself is one of the best ways to be healthy! Stay healthy my friends!

Sources: Health.com, Mercola.com, WebMD.com, National Fibromyalgia Association

Recipe: Chewy Granola Bars

I finally have what I think is a perfect granola bar. I like them to where I feel like I'm cheating and need a cup of coffee or glass of milk. I like chewy with a crunch and has a rich peanut butter taste! So, if you like that then you will love these!

     Remember to grease the wax paper. Ha! I probably would have enjoyed then more if I wasn't picking wax paper out of them all week.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup All Natural Creamy Peanut Butter

• 1/2 cup Organic Blue Agave Nectar (or Honey)

• 1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup

• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar

• 1-1/2 cup Rolled Oats

• 3/4 cup Wheat Flour

• 1/4 cup Ground Flaxseed/Bran (optional)

• 1 tsp. Seat Salt

• 1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds 

• 1/4 cup Organic Dried Cranberries

• 1/4 cup Wild Dried Blueberries

• 1/4 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

• 1/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds

Method Of Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. 

2. In hot water, let cranberries soak to soften.

3. Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl on medium speed.

4. After combined, add the syrups.

5. On low, add the oats then flour then flax or bran and season with salt. Taste test the dough.

6. Cover pan with wax paper and grease the paper. Choose an oil or butter.

7. Spatula the dough evenly into the pan. Add everything but chocolate chips on top.

8. Se timer for 20 min and watch from there. When it is golden brown around the edges it is done. The center will be a little doughy immediately so set aside and let cool. Add chocolate chips and press into the bar.

9. Pour a glass of milk and enjoy! Tastes great the next morning with a cup of coffee.

Hint:  Cutting while warm seems to be easier. Enjoy!

Serving Size: 8x8 size pan

Approximate Prep/Bake Time: 35 min.

Hope you enjoy! And let me know if you find your own renditions and how those work out!

Skin Care Series, Part 5

So, I hope that you hold your head high when looking for your skin care products! You can't be fooled! You know how to read a label and what will harm your skin. I hope you can take the tips I shared and put them to use! I hope to hear good reports in the next few months as you notice a healthier looking you!

Here are more ingredients that can really give you healthier skin!

Sea Buckthorn Oil- Hippopae rhamnoides meaning "tree that makes the horse shine" got its name from before the 12th century. It cured weak, sick horses, and later was found to be a berry all about skin rejuvenation. It is one incredible shrub providing over 100 nutrients including linolenic acid (fatty acid), vitamin A, vitamin E, carotene, flavonoids, polyphenols (condensed tannins), and traces of iron, copper, magnesium, and selenium. This combination neutralizes free radicals.

Cupuacu Butter- Amazon originated, this tree comes from the chocolate family! Love it already? It is similar to that of cocoa butter. This absorbs water extremely well. This can replace linolin in skin care products. It prevents signs of aging and is rich in sterols (cell membrane in plants). It also provides protection to over-exposure to UV rays.

Acai Berry- Let's just get one thing straight. It's pronounced ah-sah-ee. Okay, I just had to

clarify. This is named the #1 Super Food in the World. This has the highest measure of antioxidants hundreds of points higher than cranberries. These berries grow on palms in the Amazon Reserve. They are naturally wild, and they have quality fatty acids, vitamins, B1, B2, B3, C, and E. The berry also is rich in minerals like phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and essential fatty acids. This is so great. When you drink it, to reap the full benefits make sure it was cold-pressed for maximum nutrition.

Pomegranate Extract- This is a super food as well. Great for your skin and hair, this is rich in antioxidants. Using this or eating more of this can decrease stress levels and increase your intake of polyphenols and anthocyanidins (pigment that gives dark fruit their color).

Soap Bark- An evergreen karite tree known for its medicinal purposes. It reduces wrinkles, improves elasticity, and even improves the capillary circulatory and that improves tissue re-oxygenation.

Lemon Oil- This is known for being a natural astringent and anti-irritant. It balances overactive sebaceous glands that lead to oily, blemished skin. When used in hair care products, it adds

shine. When used in hand care, it treats brittle nails. When used in skin are, it clears and enlivens the complexion.

I really have enjoyed learning more about skin care! I am so glad we are in this together! Let me know about your finds in choosing your skin care products, and don't forget to check the make-ups websites out and read the labels.

You are in charge of your skin, and in this case, no one is going to look out for you like you look out for yourself! I look forward to doing more series in the future!

Skin Care Series, Part 2

Now more than ever we have to be cautious about what we eat, come in contact with, and even what we rub onto our skin. Frankly, it can be overwhelming! That's a reason I have created a blog. A blog full of facts, facts about how to better yourself inside and out! I want to create a website that is easy to get to, easy to read, and always factual.

I can attest that our family as a whole has been making much better food choices that past 2 or 3 years. We eat salads with nearly every meal. We always have fruit and vegetables on hand. We also typically have quality juices and so on. My point is, is that we have been changing eating habits. I think it's important to make lifestyle decisions slowly and purposefully. The whole topic of skin care is a newer passionate topic. Again, I did not start washing my face with organic skin care. After years of slowly making lifestyle changes, I am to my next upcoming change, using certified organic skin care and make-up. So, as we can continue onto Part 2, please know that any improvement is success!

Why Does The Beauty Industry Use These Hazardous Chemicals?

• Harsh chemicals are cheap. (ex. alcohol, bleach)

• Readily available (made in masses)

• Easy to dilute

Hurry! Run! Get your lotion and make-up to check!

This is not suppose to be depressing. After I saw that my favorite Bath & Body Works body butter had 5 of these ingredients... It was sort of sad. I will stick to spraying the body mist on my clothes.

If you choose to keep your skin care contrary to the chart above or choose to improve your skin in other ways. Here are some tips!

Achieving Healthy Skin:

Raw foods- These have the highest nutrient value rather than cooking. When cooking, use low fat methods such as steaming, roasting, baking, sauteing.

Omega-s fatty acids(list of foods in Part 1)- Not only will this give that healthy skin glow but gives your brain those healthy fats it needs to function.

Exercise- Perspiration lets toxins exit the body leaving your body detoxed.

My hairdresser was telling me the other day how important it is to put product on your hair while it's still wet. The product holds to the hair, and so when you are coming in contact with pollution, outside grime, and poor air quality, the grime grabs onto the product, not your hair. Your skin works the same way.

Take 5 minutes in the morning and evening to wash your face and neck! This will aid in maintaining that youthful glow. Along with whatever changes you make to your skin care and cosmetics.

Again, being more health conscience does not always require you forking out money. Here are ten ways to get active about skin care!

10 Ways To Better Skin!

• Use Warm Water- Hot water may potentially age your skin faster. Tap water is chlorinated. Chlorine cause oxidative damage. When chlorine is mixed with with hot water the rate of chemical reactions increase. So avoid hot baths as soothing as it may be. Hot water is not healthy for the skin.

• Use Safe & Gentle Skin Care Products- Use organic when possible. Your skin absorbs it all. Do not compromise your health or the health of your skin.

• Remove Your Make-up- Removing all the dirt and grime that you encountered will keep you glowing. By leaving the grime on your face, keeps toxins on your face longer.

• Sleep On Your Back- Gravity pulls on your face all day. At night, give your face a break. Sleeping on your stomach adds puffiness to your face.

• No Smoking- Even smokers will tell you it ages your skin and produces free radical production, sign of aging.

• Use Sunscreen- Even sunscreen should be checked against the hazardous skin care ingredients. Sunscreen has it's own harmful chemicals. Choose ocean potion or a natural sunscreen. Most have extremely harsh chemicals.

• Apply Skin Care with Warm Water- A warm face helps achieve maximum absorption to your products.

• Never Pull On Your Skin- Pulling or rubbing stretches the skin. Tapping for a few minutes to absorb is what is considered the correct way to apply products.

• Don't Expect Overnight Changes- People will probably notice before you do the changes in your skin. Do not grow weary, you are succeeding every night you choose to wash your face. Every little bit counts!

These are practical ways to improve your skin. Slowly consider if this is something you want to improve on. I encourage you to research it for yourself. Dr. Mercola has so much information. Look at other products.

Part 3 will include the nourishing botanicals that we need to look for when choosing skin care products, the benefits of organic, the beauty of keeping it natural, understanding plant oils' functions, and introduce new plants on the market that we can now get in skin care. Coming Soon!

Skin Care Series, Part 1

I am beginning a mini series of posts on one of my favorite topics to learn about, our skin!

Everyone's skin looks different based on so many factors. I am a nut about using absolutely no synthetic chemicals on my face and based on the information I want to share I should be! I never really though too much about body butter, shea butter, cocoa butter all being paired with harmful chemicals as well. The labels are mis-reading and that is why I am sharing. There are some things I eat and use that are sooo good to taste, and I really would just like to turn my health-conscience head the other way! However, I feel the urge to no longer turn my head on the ingredients in my body lotion.

I receive a e-newsletter from Dr. Mercola a couple times a week. He has a health center that focuses on optimal wellness. He presents facts about everything... I mean EVERYTHING! He has lots of videos paired with about every article he posts. Check him out for yourself!

Skin Facts:

• Skin is the largest organ and the thinnest.

• Skin is only 1/10 of an inch.

• Skin is highly permeable, allowing what you apply to your skin entering into your bloodstream.

• Skin absorbs 60% of what you put on it.

Now, knowing that we can move onto what's next. I am always lathering my skin in lotion. I keep it by my bed, in the bathroom (of course), and in my purse. I also have some at work and in the car. Dry skin drives me crazy! So, here are some ways to keep us from getting the that dreaded dry skin.

Here are 5 Ways to Alleviate Dry Skin...

1. Drink more water! For those tea drinkers, drink up on your high anti-oxidant green tea! When we are cold or at least it's cold outside, we tend to drink less. Try drinking water without ice. You drink more without realizing it. I always order water without ice even in the summer. If you are willing to try green tea but do not know what to buy, look for certified organic. It has a richer flavor. This will keep you from adding extra sugar and cream.

2. Even though potato soup sounds good almost any day in the winter, adding more raw foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids will be hydrating to your skin from the inside out! These foods ar

e also anti-aging foods. Refer to the list at the bottom. Better yet ask me for recipes that include these foods as well.

3. Take time for yourself in a warm bath, not hot. A quality bath salt can soften your skin with exfoliation. When choosing bath salts, you can refer to the list that will be posted on harsh chem

icals in skin care and cosmetics.

4. Wear gloves! Hey, it's a reason to go get those you were looking at the other day! Just kidding. Bundling up will protect your skin from the climate changes getting in and out of your car.

5. Here is the biggie! Moisturize daily with a non-clogging organic body lotion such as coconut oil or body butter. These nourish without clogging, as many toxin-moisturizers do! 

Questions that are probably rising, why organic? My lotion doesn't clog my pores, so is it good? A list of chemicals that can be found in your non-organic moisturizers is coming up next. Stay tuned!

My thinking sometimes is if it's expensive, it must have some good stuff in it! Seriously, I think that way sometimes. I have to remember even if it has a leaf on it, says phrases I like to hear, has my favorite colors, smells nice, and so on this doesn't mean they are looking out for me! Why not?

The beauty industry answers to no one! The FDA has not rules or regulations that the beauty industry has to abide by including mandatory testing. This creates loopholes which is why we must...

Define The Terms...

• "For Professional Use Only"- This allows cosmetic companies to not post the harmful chemicals on

 the label.

• "Hypoallergenic"- No testing is necessary to claim this is safe for sensitive skin. There are no regulations to claim such a statement.

• "Harmful Chemicals"- Unless the chemicals are put there intentionally, there is no requirement to say there are harmful toxins in the skin care or cosmetics.

This is all so frustrating. Like we needed one more thing to think about, right? In order to live healthier and better, we have to take care of ourselves literally. We have to educate ourselves. We opt to put great food in our body, so why is it not important what we put on our body? Dr Mercola says, "We shouldn't put anything on our body, that we wouldn't eat." Ponder that. Taking care of ourselves takes work, it's not easy. Nothing worth having ever is easy.

Beauty Industry Facts:

• In the U.S. alone, the industry makes $50 billion a year... off of us!

• They budget $2 million for advertising.

• Women who wear make-up daily absorb 5 pound of toxins a year.

The beauty industry is motivated by their profits. Can you blame them? $50 billion!

There's more to come! We will talk about toxins, skin care/cosmetic ingredients, how to get healthy skin, and a 5 min. fix. Coming Next!

List of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Flaxseed

Walnuts

Salmon

Soy beans

Halibut

Shrimp

Tofu

Scallops

Winter Squash